Primary Navigation

Red Roses For Jack Nitzsche

Neil Young had sent 100s of beautiful roses for the chapel service for our friend and great arranger/composer Jack Nitzsche. It wasn t easy to keep from

Message 1 of 1
, Aug 30 4:28 PM

0 Attachment

Neil Young had sent 100s of beautiful roses for the
chapel service for our friend and great arranger/composer
Jack Nitzsche. It wasn't easy to keep from crying....Jack
was 2 years younger than me and we all were shocked to be
there, but united in our respect and grief for him. His
great personality, humor, and yes some obstinance too
(who in this business doesn't have that! It takes that
to be successful).

We were a big part of his early days of copying, and then
arranging as were many others there: Don Randi, Earl
Palmer, Don Peake, Tommy Tedesco being represented by his
widow, Carmie and son Denny, Phil Spector (who himself
lost his son) -- his eulogy for Jack was very moving as
were the others by Don Randi, HB Barnum, Christie (name?)
Bono. Nancy Sinatra was there, Jewll Akens, Tony Newton,
Don Peake, David Blumberg, the place was packed. And we
were all glad to see each other too, even at a time like
this. Jack Jr. gave a nice eulogy for his father, and it
was wonderful to share old stories with Gracia and Billie
Barnum - Gracia was glad we were there, most of us she
hasn't seen in about 34 years - it was good to see her
again.

Very wonderful people there. Earl and I were standing in
front of Jack (open coffin) and Earl gave Jack a Catholic
blessing, reaching in to bless him. Sean Penn who was
friends with Jack was there also, so many others. It was
truly wonderful to see Phil Spector again, he looked good,
the same Phil we all worked for, and we all congregated
around him....all of us united in our feelings. And we
each received a beautiful rose as commemoration. It's a
gentle reminder of how fragile life is. As I told Jack Jr.,
his father's love won't stop, he'll feel Jack watching
over him, and then of course, there's the great music
legacy he leaves. Darn it Jack, why did you go?

Carol Kaye

Your message has been successfully submitted and would be delivered to recipients shortly.